Because Getting Lost Is Wonderful *_*

Category Archives: Nature

Nusa Penida, the biggest islands of three (the others are Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan), is 30 minutes away from Sanur Beach. The reasons why I wanted to come here was because of my damn curiosity of the beauty nature in Bali. As usual, I did my little research on internet before I traveled. This time I came with my gals. Yes, 4 brave-adventure-thirst girls ^_^

From my so called research, I learned and assumed that Nusa Penida has more breathtaking nature such as Banah, Angel’s Billabong, Pasih Uwug, and more. And of course, not to mention the challenges.

Day 1, we took off to Nusa Penida from Sanur Beach around 11am. It was kinda late to start our day tho but hey, we didn’t come this far to walk away. As we arrived in Toyapakeh Village, we first looked for the motorbike to rent. We got them, IDR 80.000 daily plus gasoline. Ok fine, we didn’t have that many choices tho as the clock was ticking. We didn’t even bother to find a hotel either. It can come later, we thought.

So, following the itinerary that I have prepared (yes, I am always in charge for everything), we went to the west side of Nusa Penida. We wanted to see Banah! We were so happy and excited when we started the trip but after half an hour we didn’t see anything like Banah, we started to be desperate. Especially me, the rider of the half-good-condition motorbike, or less.The road access was far from good. It was just the limestone road, dusty, rocky, lond and winding. OMG, I was very close to give up. Until there, yeah there, we finally saw it. The Banah Rock!

I am Banah!

Our jaws were kinda dropped tho hahaha. We felt a great relief when we finally saw the Banah rock. Oh my God! How stunning it was. All the pain to get to the spot was paid off. Then, we were hungry 😦

No time for lunch, yet. We pursued to the next destination which was Tembeling Pool. It is a sacred nature water source which has two pools, 1 for gents and 1 for ladies. The pool for gents was found first and then further down was the pool for ladies.

Steep cliff to the holy water

What surprised me personally was actually the ladies pool is located right by the beach. The water was cool and crystal clear and it was sacred for Hindu people. Of course we didn’t wanna miss the chance to drink the holy water. Yes!

Ladies pool is the holy water pool. Yay! *_*

Posing by the beach is a must! 😉

Time for (late) lunch. In fact, it wasn’t easy to find a descent place to eat in the area. We finally had just dropped by the street in a hut where an old lady was selling instant noodle and fried. Ok fine! Whatever it took to keep the tummy happy.

It was late afternoon actually but we were driven to go to our last destination of the day. Given the geographical of Nusa Penida which was the top challenge of all, we kept going to Angel’s Billabong and Pasih Uwug. And yes, the sun was coming down when we arrived there.

Pasih Uwug looks more magical in reality. Pardon the not-so-good-photo due to minimum light 😉

Practically, we didn’t have that much time to enjoy the magic of both Angel’s Billabong and Pasih Uwug. So, we rushed! Pasih Uwug was the first we saw and we spending around 15 minutes there. It was sunset time already!

We didn’t want to give up, yet. Angel’s Billabong was 3 minutes away walking distance. We hurrily took the small path among the bush that led to it. And you know what, even with minimum light, it was still magnificent. I wish we could arrive here earlier. But, taking pictures was still a must! hahaha

Myself and the Angel’s Billabong

Time to find the place to stay over night. We went back to Toyapakeh tried to find a cheap hostel. And we got none! There was a big ceremony the following day that many Hindu people from Bali mainland visiting Nusa Penida. Great! Perfect day it was. I was kinda miserable that time as my wrist was somewhat sprained from bad hand brake and bad road.

I let the girls handle the place to stay and after being desperate for a while, the owner of the cafe we had dinner at, offered us a room to stay in her house. For FREE! Yes, it was for free hahahaha

The next day, we had no time to complain about how sore and strained our bodies were from the first day trip. We must keep going as we had to catch our boat back to Sanur at 3pm.

Somewhere along the way

Today’s destinations were Atuh Beach and Teletubbies Hill, if we still had time. Atuh Beach is located at the east side of the island. Going there was not as bad as the day before, but still bad hehehe. But as they said, no pain no gain, the pain was (again) paid off here. On the right side of the beach, the rocks formation reminded me to islands in Thailand.

The hill in between these 2 beaches was stunning itself. We sure took photos here too.

Itchiness isn’t guaranteed 😀

Meanwhile, I was challenged to go down the hill to see the rock formation that looked like Lady Gaga’s shoes. It took all my courage and energy to go down the hill to the beach as it was very long steep way down OMG.

The Shoes of Lady Gaga 😀

I thought that I have accomplished enough of all I wanted to see in Nusa Penida. My friends? They gave up already hahahaha. We were so glad that we finally made this trip. We will come back here. Next time, we better rent a car!

Bias Tugel is a beach located just next to Padang Bai port where people catch the boats and ships to the Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air in Lombok. Also, people take the ship from here to Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida.

As usual, I read about the beach from my Bali bible, Trip Canvas. I was excited as I never heard about this beach before. All I knew about Padang Bai was a gateway to Lombok and the 3 Gilis. So yeah, the excitement was overloaded.

Together with my friend Catur, we left Denpasar early that day. Our destinations were to Bukit Belong and Tukad Unda in Klungkung and Bias Tugel Beach in Karang Asem. I was really curious as I never knew that Padang Bai has such beautiful beach. Look what I have missed!We got to Padang Bai right on mid day when the sun was at its most performance. Freaking hot! But who cares, I needed to do what I wanted to do hahaha. Actually, we were so lucky that the weather was really nice that day after the whole week had been all rainy days. Why would I not want the sun shine, eh? 😉

To find the beach was easy. Before the gate to the port area, there’s an intersection and we took the right turn. We kept going around 1 km and there was a sign of Bias Tugel Beach. The road access was already good even it was up and down the hill. The entrance fee was IDR 2.000 each. Going down the staircases, I could see the ocean and I was stunned already.

At the end of the stair, we turned left following the direction. and in a second, we were surrounded by the trees. Wowww…it was beautiful. We followed the path around 100 m and finally we reached the beach. Yayyy!!! *_*There were some people in the beach and I just couldn’t wait to jump into the water. I picked a spot under a tree’s shade and it was perfect. It was the right corner to take some pictures without having to move my ass out of the beach sarong 😀After resting a little while, I decided to test the water. OMG it was so perfectly warm and soothing at the same time. The water was crystal clear and turquoise that I couldn’t resist. The ships and boat from and to Padang Bai Port just didn’t give AF as they continued to pass by hahaha.

I have heard and read a lot about Vihara Dharma Giri with its famous and huge Reclining Buddha Statue. When the weather is bright and the sky is blue, it will look even better on photo hahaha.

Therefore, no wonder if I wanted to visit and see it in person.I have seen the one in Wat Pho in Bangkok, Thailand. This time, I wanted to see the one in Bali. My boyfriend was so kind to accompany me going there where he was usually preferred to work or surfing himself. Yes! Perfect then.

We had no idea how to go there yet we knew the address from the internet.So, we relied on google maps then. Why not?!

All I knew was that the vihara/temple was located in Tabanan. Off we go! After several times of confusing about where to turn, we finally arrived in Tabanan city. We lost track of where the vihara’s location and we decided to ask the locals. According to google map, we were so close already but the locals only knew the vihara but not the reclining Buddha.

The facade of Vihara Dharma Cattra

Alright, we have come this far anyway and there was no turning back before we checked. We entered the vihara and was surprised. Mixed with confuse hahaha. The vihara was small and as we asked the guard, definitely there was no reclining Buddha there. It was in another vihara which was 1 more hour away. OMG.

Ok. Fine. It was afternoon already and we were tired to continue our trip. All we wanted to do was enjoying the vihara, resting a little bit, seize the day, and go home. And we still had fun there. A lot of fun! 😉

The next day after the Silent Day on the Sea, it was the adventure day for my boyfriend and I. We jumped on our motorbike and off to Ceningan Island. Ceningan Island is an island that is separated by a small strait from Lembongan that a suspension bridge could connect them. And the yellow suspension bridge is so epic! We didn’t want to drive by the bridge. We wanted to stop on the bridge and enjoy the God’s creation from there. But of course that was impossible. The bridge was so narrow that only 1 motorbike/scooter could pass by. But I still managed to take some pictures tho ^_^

Having had some places in my mind to visit in Ceningan Island, we decided to go to Blue Point first. It was a landscape with a cliff that people used to jump off from and fell down into the ocean. But it is strictly forbidden now as there were deadly accidents. Still, the view was undeniably stunning. It was quite here and we could have some us-time without interruption here. 😉

The Blue Point is also known as Zipland

The tip of the rock where tourists used to jump off of

We then pursued our tour to a café hahaha. I wasn’t hungry but my boyfriend was starving. We stopped in a café with the view of the ocean. Actually, it was a surfing spot which I never knew of. I felt good to know about it. I think, everywhere I turned my head to, it was all beautiful. OMG.

The view near the surfing spot

Ceningan and Lembongan islands are very well known for their seaweed plantations and the view of these plantations was just mystical. With the canoes of the fishermen above them, just made them more mystical and irresistible. We stopped here to watch the view as well as the farmers doing their jobs. The peaceful feeling growing in my stomach and heart. ^_^

A seaweed farmer

We needed to continue our trip anyway and our next destination is the Secret Beach. We took the wrong turn as there was no sign of the Secret Beach. After asking a local people on our way, finally we found that beach. Actually, secret beach is located in Villa Trevally Echo Resort. We had to go in La Baia Restaurant first to reach the Secret Beach. Ahh…ok!

We sat for awhile on the beach enjoying the view and the waves. It is a small beach and very quite. You will think that you own the beach but you don’t! *reality bites

My boyfriend tried to dip his body in the sea but the waves were just too big and the water was so cold hahaha. I decided to take pictures and posing, of course 😉

Jumping failure *sigh

I love the wave!

We had a very good time in Nusa Ceningan. I didn’t wanna go back but, what could I say. We left Nusa Ceningan with warming hearts. I am sure that we will come back here again, sooner or later :*

Tukad is a Balinese word for river. I read about Tukad Unda, a beautiful dam and kind of less visited. I mean, it isn’t very crowded and it’s close from Bukit Belong. Ok fine, bring it on! 😀

From Gunaksa Village, it took around 15-20 mins (if I’m not mistaken, can’t really remember haha) to Tukad Unda. But I wanted to see a bit of further down so we continued. It was a nice little town of Klungkung tho. I was impressed as I never thought that I would see another side of Bali. And I was contented myself. ^_^

After going around the town, I finally arrived at Tukad Unda. OMG I was so excited cos I could see the dam from the bridge. I was so impatient like a child hahaha.

The sun was on the west side at the time we arrived. Yes, It was around 4pm and actually kinda late to visit but hey, who cares? I wanted to go there so there I was. I just needed to make the most of my time there to make good photos hahaha.

Without wasting anymore time, I jumped into the water and it was…cold! Dammit! But the water was so refreshing. I was sooooo happy that I started to pose straight away. The dam was even more beautiful when I saw it closer.

It was a surprise and enjoyable trip. The fun was overloaded. I’m looking forward to have another trip soon *_*

There are always more new places to visit in Bali. As you know, Bali is a perfect island. You can enjoy everything here. Just name it 😉

This time, I visited Bukit Belong (Belong Hill) in Klungkung. Belong Hill is located in Gunaksa Village. To reach there is simply easy. Just go through Ida Bagus Mantra by pass about 1 hour and you will see the sign Kusamba Village. Keep going then untill you pass by a bridge with the view of a temple on the hill. You are almost there.

At a traffic light with direction to Gunaksa Village, turn right and follow the road down. Belong hill is visible from afar. At the time I visited (February 2016), there was a road construction going on. A gate was even built. Local said that investor will build a housing area on the hill. Oh no!

So yeah, I thought I was lucky visiting the hill before it turns out ugly with houses on it. Anyway, I just wanted to feel free and serenity on the hill as well as to enjoy teh stunning view from above it. OMG, believe me. It was painfully beautiful! *_*

Do you see what I mean?

Like, really!

But I wanted to go higher! So I climbed more. The bush made me itchy but it couldn’t stop me. I kept going till I reached a tree. Hufff…it was quite an effort tho. I stopped there and stood up. Enjoying the magnificent view. Climbing up was paid off!

On a broken branch I sat down and posed

I couldn’t help not to climb up the tree as it was so lonely. I just wanted to keep the tree accompany :D. It was just serene and lovely to watch the view of green paddy fields down the hill with the bright blue sky and the ocean in the distance. I was so grateful. How could people destroy that peace and beauty for money?!!

Anyway, I really had a great time there. Ah, before I forget, there was a lady asking for donation for whatever reason. She didn’t speak Indonesian, not to mention English. She said it was as i willed to give but when she saw my friend, she asked for more. Hahahaha…human being! Some people just can smell money even from afar.

It was my second time visiting Nusa Lembongan with a different intention and plus another person. Yup, it was my boyfriend coming with me this time. We always wanted to go there all this time but always, there was something happened that stopped us.

As the boat off to Nusa Lembongan from Sanur Beach, we couldn’t help but very excited for this trip. As most of the time, I prepared the itinerary (as I have been there once) to make the most of our trip. As we arrived at Mushroom Beach, first thing first was to find the motorbike/scooter to go to Jungut Batu Village. Mushroom Beach to Jungut Batu is around 15 minutes riding.

My sister-like in Nusa Lembongan, Mbok Komang, which I met on my first visit, welcoming us with her warm heart and open arms. Not to mention, her brother Om Sugi and his wife. If at my first time coming here I stayed with Komang, this time we stayed in a homestay close to her place.Komang had been waiting for us and so excited when she finally met us hahaha. So happy to see her again.

In fact, we finally came to Nusa Lembongan because it was I-don’t-remember-how-many-times she had invited us to celebrate the full moon party in Lembongan. It was even more special because there would be a Hindu full moon ceremony. Omg, I couldn’t wait to have my first Hindu ceremony ever.

It was the end of September 2015, exactly the same time as the full moon ceremony and “Hari Nyepi Laut” (Silent Day on the Sea). In which, any kind of activity with ocean related was not allow to conduct. No sea transport at all, the fishermen had to stay in land, and any other sea activities. So I thought, alright then, it’s time to enjoy Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan properly. Bring it on! *_*

The only public transport in Lembongan

The quite street in Jungut Batu Village, where most of backpackers stay (including us) 😉

Breakfast at Panorama Cafe

At Panorama Point of Nusa Lembongan. Posing before more tourists coming.

At Dream Beach

The Devil’s Tear

Oh, we also stopped at the underground house built by a guy for his meditation nest. It took him 15 years to dig. Alone. By himself. On his own.

At Gala Gala House (an Underground House)

As we dropped our backpacks in our room, Komang said to take our time and rest because her family will go to the ceremony in the temple in the late afternoon. So yeah…we decided to catch up on some more sleep hahaha

In the afternoon, we were getting ready for the ceremony and came to her place. She had prepared dresses for me and my boyfriend for the ceremony. Oh my God, we were very excited cos finally we will dress in Balinese traditional dress properly. How lucky we were.

Being a Balinese couple as Ida Bagus and Ida Ayu *_*

At the temple, while we were waiting for our turn to pray, I looked around and saw another foreigners in Balinese dress. So my boyfriend wasn’t the only white guy to pray then. Interesting! As our turn came, we took a seat on the sand (yes, on the sand as the temple was by the beach) and getting ready for the ceremony. As we are not Hindu, we just followed the gesture of the worshippers. It was quite a spiritual experience for me. I was very grateful and serene.

The offers for God

Posing in between prayings 🙂

Being a Balinese woman it means you have to be strong and multitasking 😉

The moon was so big and red that night. Actually it was the supermoon that happens once every several months. Then it was the time for the fullmoon party at Jibaku Café. There was a DJ coming from Sanur to heat up the night with the music. And that place was full of foreigners. Apparently, not so much night life in the island for the tourists. No wonder why that place was so happening.For an island like Nusa Lembongan, it was an important party and Komang somehow managed to get us free drinks. Hahaha…she acted like a she owned tha cafe!